May Budget: 7 Things You Don't Want to Forget

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Common May Budget Categories

Is your May calendar filling up as fast as mine is? Spring activities are starting up, such as sports, gardening and outdoor fun. The warmer weather has me excited for summer that is right around the corner! As you are preparing your May budget, here are 7 common budget categories to consider.

1. Mother’s Day

May is for honoring the mamas! That may be in a form of a gift or a special Mother’s Day brunch. Or perhaps you would like to brighten up mom’s space with some beautiful flowers.

Stuck on a gift idea for mom? Here are some ideas:

Great Amazon Finds for Mom

2. Memorial Day

Memorial Day feels like the official summer cookout kickoff in the US. It’s a common time for family gatherings so you will want to kick up that food budget a little.

You will also see Memorial Day sale ads for furniture and vehicles. My words of caution – Don’t be lured into something just “because it’s on sale” though. Take advantage of these sales only if you are in the market for them now.

3. Summer Vacation Fund

Are you planning a vacation for the summer? If you haven’t started already, start saving up with a summer vacation sinking fund. Do some research on how much it will cost for hotel, travel, entertainment and food and start saving!

We don’t have any big summer vacation plans other than maybe some weekend getaways (LEGO Land NY here we come!). We did our big trip to Virginia Beach during April break.

In 2023 we went to Myrtle Beach and loved it but wanted something a little closer this year. If you are within a day’s drive to a beach it can actually be an economical vacation with a little planning. Check out my post about enjoying Myrtle Beach on a budget.

Family Travel Essentials

4. Summer Clothes

I am ready for shorts and flip flops! The weather is a tease in April. Sandals one day, boots the next. I am hoping May will bring more consistent warm weather and we can pack away the winter clothes.

If you or your kids need more summer clothes then kick up that clothing budget.

5. Pool Supplies

I wish this was one of our expenses in our May budget but we don’t have a pool.

Ok, I want the pool but not the expense. 😎

Cost of chemicals is not cheap, especially when you’re just starting to open the pool for the season and get the water treated properly. Start including those pool care costs for the months to come.

May Budget: 7 Things You Don't Wan to Forget

6. Summer Sports and Camps

We are just getting started with spring baseball and and it’s also time to register for summer soccer. Be on the lookout for summer sports and camp sign ups to keep those kiddos busy! I will also be registering my kids for church camp soon.

7. Lawn and Garden

I’ve seen a lot of gardening memes in my Facebook feed lately so I know there are a lot of gardeners out there that can’t wait to dig in the dirt. Time to think about mulch, topsoil, grass seed, flower seeds, and potted plants to boost up that curb appeal.

Personally I leave all that stuff up to my husband as his thumb is much greener than mine.

Planning Your May Budget

Staying on top of your budget is key to financial stability and peace of mind. As you prepare for the month of May and beyond, don’t overlook these essential categories such as Mother’s Day, Memorial Day, and summer-related expenses like vacation funds and clothing. Ensuring you allocate funds for pool supplies, summer camps, and lawn and garden maintenance can help you enjoy the summer without financial stress.

To help you stay organized and proactive in managing your finances, download our Financial Wellness Checklist. This simple PDF checklist will help you stay organized with important financial decisions. Start taking control of your finances today and build your financial confidence!

May Budget: 7 Things You Don’t Want to Forget